Today is last day of the fair
Come to the Star Education Fair to find out more details on the next step after the SPM and STPM exams.
TODAY is the last day of the Star Education Fair 2018. Come grab the opportunity to figure out what career to pursue for a secure and bright future.
School-leavers who want to find out more about the next step in their educational journey are invited to visit the fair at Halls 1 to 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where counsellors and representatives from foreign and local institutions will offer information on a range of certificate, foundation, diploma and postgraduate courses, as well as professional qualifications.
The Star Education Fair 2018 also includes a series of education and career talks, featuring many speakers including Savant Garde Learning Solutions principal trainer Thomas Yap, who has over 11 years of training experience ( see table).
Yap will share tips on choosing the best course of study for a longterm career and spotting future career trends during his segment “Charting A Career That Suits You” that starts from 11am to 12pm today.
There are less popular careers currently which have the potential of becoming sought-after career choices given the rapid pace of advancement, he said.
He pointed out that school-leavers often make the mistake of registering in courses that their friends pursue, realising only later that such courses may not be suitable for them.
“It is important to know what you want to achieve in the long term,” he added.
Break out of your comfort zone and be adventurous in trying new things as there won’t be progression if you don’t, he said, adding it is best for students to take a career compatibility test to better gauge themselves.
He also pointed out that students need to have open and objective discussions with parents about their study courses.
“Many parents often live out their unfulfilled dreams through their children.
“Discuss with parents the objective of what you want to do and always back it up with facts and figures,” he said, adding that students should not get emotional during discussions.
What do you want to do
Speaking after Yap is Sunway University head of Psychology Department and associate professor Dr Alvin Ng Lai Oon.
He will speak about “Psychology For Sustainability Beyond The 21st Century” – focusing on how psychology is relevant to daily life.
“It isn’t just about mental health, it is also about human performance.
“By learning about psychology we can better understand people, manage human emotions and improve functioning in any kind of industry,” said Dr Ng, pointing out that psychology is a type of science.
“Scientific methodology is used to find the truth about people,” he explained.
Meanwhile, those who want to turn their passion for food into a professional career can get tips from celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, and Sunway Le Cordon Bleu general manager Ming Rathswohl Ho from 2pm to 2.30pm.
The two will talk on “How To Be A Global Chef cum Celebrity Chef”, and share their experiences and insights on becoming an international chef.
Chef Wan, who has over 27 years of cooking and television experience and is the author of 14 cookbooks. will share tips on capitalising on one’s talent and knowledge in cooking and making that into a great career.
“Being a good chef isn’t easy. You need to have passion, dedication, skills, precision and good hygiene.
“We can live without luxurious homes, cars, jewellery and travel trips, but no one can live without good food,” he said.
He stressed that proper education from a reputable institution and having the hunger to learn are requirements to survive in the competitive and ever-evolving industry.
“Culinary art students must acquire the basic fundamentals of handling food to understand it.
“Constant learning, practice and refresher courses are also key to improving,” said Chef Wan who attends refresher courses at Sunway’s Le Cordon Bleu.
Never let ego keep you from learning new things, he added, insisting he is “just a chef” despite his many impressive achievements.
Ho agreed, saying that being in the culinary arts industry has taught her about discipline and integrity.
She added students should get the skills from a good culinary school as that will make it easier for them to enter the industry.
“In chef school, students will be trained to be disciplined, punctual, organised and hygienic, among other factors.
“All this is about character building,” she said, adding it teaches students about health and eating right.
“Chefs themselves must be healthy and serve quality food to people and must not be selfish in sharing knowledge,” said Ho.
A talk on “Learning English In A Fun Way” will also be conducted by Quest International University Perak’s English Language Department senior lecturer Thomas Wilson Lowrie from 12.40pm to 1.00pm.
Environmental health and safety
Following Lowrie’s session are MAHSA University head of the Environmental Health and Safety Department Dr Subramaniam Karuppannan, and KDU University College’s Dr Jenny Wong, who is head of the School, Business and Social Sciences and School of Pre-University Studies.
Dr Subramaniam who has nearly 40 years of experience in the field will give a “Career Pathways in Environmental Health and Safety” talk from 1.10pm to 1.30pm to help students fill in the gaps of information in the Environmental Health and Safety sector.
“The talk is to enable appreciation of the environment in charting a student’s pathway from a knowledge-based programme, with an emphasis to high skills in the field of environmental health and safety,” he said.
Students need to know this isn’t a lecture-based programme, but is a mixture of lecture, lab and field based training, both in government and private companies, he added.
Dr Wong’s talk which starts from 1.40pm to 2.00pm will focus on “Careers for Non-Accounting Students” as well as high-paying jobs available in the country.
Non-accounting students include business, media, mass communication students and more, said Dr Wong, noting that one does not need not be an accountant to earn a good living.
“Careers are important, but it must also be in the students’ interest to study that particular field in order to excel,” she said.
Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) vice-president of operations Gurpardeep Singh will speak on “Industry 4.0, Digital Disruption and Your Future Careers” from 4.20pm to 4.40pm.
He will present an overview on how technology will create and support digital disruptions.
He will also explain how to prepare for a digital economy, as well as what new skills, attitudes and attributes students need to do to be successful in their future careers.
“I will outline the tremendous demand and range of opportunities available now and in the future in Malaysia for bright young aspiring technology professionals, and how the Government is spearheading talent development in this area,” said Gurpardeep.
Multimedia University Faculty of Engineering senior lecturer Dr Wong Sew Kin will give an insight into the field of engineering with his “Introduction to Engineering” talk from 5.20pm to 5.40pm.
He will share what engineers do, career pathways and areas of expertise in engineering.
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) Faculty of Applied Sciences senior lecturer Chan Choon Kit, who has over 21 years of lecturing experience under his belt, will share information on microelectronics and embedded systems in his talk titled “Pursuing Microelectronics and Embedded Systems” from 5.10pm to 6.10pm. He will focus on the relevant industries and opportunities.
Students who want to study in Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia can get a few pointers at talks from 2.40pm to 4.10pm.
The Star Education Fair 2018 is being held at Halls 1 and 5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and ends today. Opening hours are from 11am to 7pm. Admission is free.
For more information, contact 03-23332741 / 03-23332742 / 03-2333 2743 / 03-2333 2744.